-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Shortly after 1:30 p.m. on February 24 , 2010 , a SeaWorld Orlando trainer lost her life in a tragic accident involving one of the park 's killer whales . The death of Dawn Brancheau was an occasion of almost unbearable sadness for those closest to Dawn -- her family , friends and colleagues at SeaWorld .

I was honored to know Dawn and count myself among those SeaWorld team members deeply affected by her loss .

Dawn 's death has been the subject of thousands of articles , broadcast news stories , blogs , books , and now a feature film called `` Blackfish . '' Many of these accounts trade in the details of Dawn 's death in graphic detail . They do so not to inform but , rather , regrettably , because of the desire to sensationalize .

Filmmaker : Why I made ` Blackfish '

The three years since Dawn 's death have seen the emergence of individuals who have chosen not to honor her memory , but rather to use the events of February 24 , 2010 , to advance their own interests . Some seek commercial gain . Others seek to forward a political or philosophical agenda . Still others appear to be engaged in self-promotion .

But anyone approaching this subject in good faith must recognize a simple fact : Our staff has interacted with killer whales -- for veterinary care , training , shows , educational presentations , husbandry , exercise , play and enrichment -- hundreds of times a day for nearly 50 years . The tragedy of Dawn 's death can not and has not been ignored , but neither should the literally millions of safe interactions we have had with killer whales over that span of time .

`` Blackfish '' focuses on a handful of incidents over our long history at the exclusion of everything else . Not a single interview with a guest who was inspired and enriched by their experience with killer whales at SeaWorld . Not one visitor who left SeaWorld more aware of the need to preserve the world around them . Not one word about the thousands of ill , orphaned and injured animals rescued by SeaWorld or the millions of dollars we dedicate to supporting conservation and research .

There is no acknowledgment anywhere in the film of the great things SeaWorld does every day or the simple fact that our animals are healthy and passionately cared for .

SeaWorld answers CNN 's questions on orcas

I started at Sea World in 1975 and have witnessed the growth and changes that come with a company that is dedicated to understanding these magnificent animals . We have collected invaluable information about these animals that could not be obtained from observation in the wild .

In the three years since Dawn 's death , we have again made significant changes at SeaWorld . We have altered how we care for , display and train these extraordinary animals . We have changed the facilities , equipment and procedures at our killer whale habitats . The care and educational presentation of these animals at SeaWorld has been made safer than ever .

Does `` Blackfish '' inform its viewers of that fact ? No , it does not . And by that omission the film reveals itself not as a work of objective documentary filmmaking , but rather as something closer to propaganda . As we have said many times , there is simply no higher priority for us than the safety of our guests and staff and the welfare of our animals .

We understand that there will always be individuals and groups opposed to the care of animals in zoos and aquariums . We recognize that we must defend what we do and the manner in which we do it . Blackfish , like other works driven by the same agenda , ignores the extraordinary benefits to conservation , scientific research and education of America 's zoo and aquariums . But through it all SeaWorld remains the world 's most respected marine zoological institution . Our parks are staffed with skilled and caring zoological professionals , all of whom deserve to have their work celebrated , not dishonored by things like `` Blackfish . ''

Despite what the makers of this film may suggest , SeaWorld is the kind of organization that draws dedicated and passionate people like Dawn Brancheau . These are the men and women who have built SeaWorld into an extraordinary place , one that provides inspiring , enriching and educational experiences to more than 11 million people each year .

That , not the inaccurate and shamefully misleading account in `` Blackfish , '' is what SeaWorld really is .

The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Michael Scarpuzzi . This article first appeared on the San Diego Union-Tribune in August , and was republished with permission from SeaWorld .

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Michael Scarpuzzi has worked for SeaWorld since 1975

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He says the film `` Blackfish '' `` focuses on a handful of incidents ''

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SeaWorld has `` altered how we care for , display and train '' orcas since 2010

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Watch an encore of `` Blackfish '' on CNN , Saturday , Nov. 2 at 9 p.m. ET